Inground pool cost in Athens, GA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (450 sq ft)
- $31,500 – $98,500
- Per sq ft
- $70 – $218
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −13%
- US $74,500
- Rank of 300 metros
- #279
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to install an inground pool in Athens, plan on $31,500 to $98,500 for 450 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $70 to $218 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 13% lower than the national one. Construction laborers earn a median of $17.85 an hour in the Athens area, 21% below the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 450 sq ft in Athens, GA, standard level
$51,600 to $78,400
About $114 to $174 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 47% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $27,100 | $41,300 |
| Labor | $24,300 | $36,900 |
| Permits and fees | $150 | $220 |
| Total | $51,600 | $78,400 |
Cost breakdown for 450 sq ft in Athens, GA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $16,500 | $34,200 | $52,000 | 53% |
| Labor | $14,900 | $30,600 | $46,300 | 47% |
| Permits and fees | $95 | $190 | $280 | 0% |
| Total | $31,500 | $65,000 | $98,500 | 100% |
Where the Athens price comes from
Labor is 47% of the midpoint bill here, against 52% nationally. The mix of trades behind this job is construction laborers (40%), operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (30%), brickmasons and blockmasons (20%), plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (10%). We weight each trade's local median wage by that share and compare it with the national median. In Athens the blended ratio comes out at 0.79.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Athens metro is 96.3 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 450 sq ft comes to $34,200, compared with $35,600 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (93.3) and land at $95 to $280.
Data note: 20% of the labor weighting for this project uses a statewide median because BLS has no published metro figure for that trade in Athens. The wage table below marks each row.
How Athens compares
Of the five closest metros, none is cheaper than Athens. Macon comes closest at about $65,700.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Athens, GAthis page | $31,500 – $98,500 | $65,000 | |
| Gainesville, GA45 miles | $31,900 – $99,700 | $65,800 | +1% |
| Greenville, SC70 miles | $32,900 – $102,500 | $67,800 | +4% |
| Atlanta, GA70 miles | $33,900 – $106,000 | $69,900 | +7% |
| Augusta, GA80 miles | $32,000 – $100,000 | $66,100 | +2% |
| Macon, GA80 miles | $31,900 – $99,600 | $65,700 | +1% |
| Georgia (statewide) | $32,600 – $102,000 | $67,200 | +3% |
| United States | $36,100 – $113,000 | $74,500 | +15% |
Across 300 US metros, Athens comes in at #279 from the top. The priciest is Kahului, HI at $105,000; the cheapest is McAllen, TX at $62,300 (midpoints, 450 sq ft). Statewide, Athens is 3% below the Georgia figure.
Other Georgia metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta, GA | 2,889,670 jobs | $33,900 – $106,000 | $69,900 | +7% |
| Augusta, GA | 231,930 jobs | $32,000 – $100,000 | $66,100 | +2% |
| Savannah, GA | 198,360 jobs | $32,100 – $100,500 | $66,200 | +2% |
| Columbus, GA | 116,380 jobs | $31,200 – $97,600 | $64,400 | −1% |
| Gainesville, GA | 103,870 jobs | $31,900 – $99,700 | $65,800 | +1% |
| Macon, GA | 95,030 jobs | $31,900 – $99,600 | $65,700 | +1% |
Cities with a workforce like Athens's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Athens against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yakima, WA | 97,010 jobs | $39,600 – $123,500 | $81,500 | +25% |
| Fort Smith, AR | 95,560 jobs | $30,800 – $96,200 | $63,500 | −2% |
| Binghamton, NY | 97,030 jobs | $38,800 – $121,000 | $80,000 | +23% |
| Macon, GA | 95,030 jobs | $31,900 – $99,600 | $65,700 | +1% |
Climate in Athens: timing your inground pool job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Athens Ben Epps Ap (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
March through June and September through November are the stretches where pouring concrete runs into the fewest weather problems in Athens (7 of 12 months). January, February and December have an average overnight low of 40°F or below; July and August have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
The 40°F line is a deliberately cautious stand-in. The American Concrete Institute's cold-weather guide (ACI 306R-16) defines cold-weather concreting around an average daily air temperature below 40°F, which is colder than our test of an average overnight low at or below 40°F, so we flag a few extra shoulder months. In cold weather crews may need heated enclosures, insulating blankets or accelerated mixes, and those measures can raise a quote.
Heat matters for concrete as well. With average highs of 90°F or more in July and August, crews often start early, wet the base and plan for faster set times.
Athens gets about 49 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are June, August and December (4.9 inches in June). Inside the workable window, May and October are the driest, at 3.3 and 3.3 inches. The station averages about 62 days a year at 90°F or above.
Does the season change the price? Probably, but we do not have a sourced seasonal price curve, so the estimator shows a year-round figure and does not adjust by month. When you collect quotes, ask whether scheduling in a slower month gets a better rate.
| Month | Avg high °F | Avg low °F | Precip (in) | For this job |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 55 | 34 | 4.4 | Cold |
| Feb | 59 | 37 | 4.4 | Cold |
| Mar | 67 | 43 | 4.4 | Workable |
| Apr | 75 | 50 | 3.5 | Workable |
| May | 82 | 59 | 3.3 | Workable |
| Jun | 89 | 67 | 4.9 | Workable |
| Jul | 92 | 70 | 4.2 | Hot |
| Aug | 90 | 69 | 4.5 | Hot |
| Sep | 85 | 63 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Oct | 75 | 52 | 3.3 | Workable |
| Nov | 65 | 42 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Dec | 57 | 36 | 4.4 | Cold |
Athens labor market for inground pool
Wages are the part of this estimate that changes most from town to town. 4 trades carry the job here, and each is compared with its US median. The weighted result for Athens is 0.79 times the national level.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 40% of the weighting: a median of $17.85 an hour, 21% below the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $16.56 and $23.50 an hour. About 420 work in the metro. That is 43.8 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073, weighted 30%) the local median is $21.30 an hour, which is 26% below the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $18.67 and $22.31 an hour. BLS counts 230 of them working in the area, 24.0 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.7), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) carry 20% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Athens metro, so we used the Georgia statewide median: $24.35 an hour against $29.87 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $18.00 and $32.90 an hour.
For plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152, weighted 10%) the local median is $27.76 an hour, which is 9% below the national $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $22.55 and $32.13 an hour. BLS counts 210 of them working in the area, 21.9 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.0), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the construction laborers on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($23.50 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $3,850. At the 25th percentile ($16.56) it shrinks by about $880. The total moves by 5.9% or 1.4%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 95,800 jobs in the Athens-Clarke County area. That makes it the 209th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.06% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 40% | $16.56 | $17.85 | $23.50 | $22.66 | 0.79 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $18.67 | $21.30 | $22.31 | $28.78 | 0.74 | metro |
| Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) | 20% | $18.00 | $24.35 | $32.90 | $29.87 | 0.82 | state |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 10% | $22.55 | $27.76 | $32.13 | $30.67 | 0.91 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.79 | |||||
Specs and site conditions that change a Athens bid
Pool type
Vinyl pools are $25,000-$65,000, fiberglass $45,000-$100,000, and concrete or gunite $50,000-$120,000 (HomeGuide).
Maintenance
Pool maintenance is $80-$150 a month; concrete pools also need an acid wash every 3-5 years at $300-$1,000.
Permit
A building permit for a pool is $100-$300 and contractors often include it. Many cities add plumbing and electrical permits.
What nearby projects cost in Athens
Because every project leans on different trades, Athens's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, aluminum fence runs −11% and wood deck −13%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $3,350 – $10,200 | −11% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,650 – $4,750 | −12% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,100 – $3,450 | −13% |
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $6,550 – $13,200 | −13% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $530 – $1,850 | −12% |
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $6,050 – $12,000 | −12% |
Athens: what basic, standard and premium work costs
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Athens wages and prices. They overlap on purpose: a good standard job and a modest premium job can cost the same. The grid below prices the same bands at 3 common sizes.
Basic
$31,500 to $58,300
Vinyl-liner pool, small size
Standard
$51,600 to $78,400
Fiberglass pool, standard size
Premium
$71,700 to $98,500
Concrete or gunite, large with custom features
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small pool (400 sq ft) | $28,000 – $51,800 | $45,900 – $69,700 | $63,800 – $87,600 |
| average (512 sq ft) | $35,800 – $66,300 | $58,700 – $89,200 | $81,600 – $112,000 |
| large (800 sq ft) | $55,900 – $103,500 | $91,600 – $139,000 | $127,500 – $175,000 |
Get 3 local quotes
Tell us about the job and we will try to connect you with up to three local contractors for written quotes. It is free and you are under no obligation to hire. Your estimate of $51,600 to $78,400 for Athens, GA is attached.
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Multi-page report for Athens, GA: low, typical and high cost, a line-item breakdown of materials and labor by trade, permit notes, the best months to schedule, a quote comparison sheet, red flags, questions for contractors, checklists and every source. Save your estimate above, preview page 1 free, and unlock the full report for $9 one-time, or get every report with CostLocal Pro.
Inground pool in Athens: your questions
+How much does it cost to install an inground pool in Athens?
For 450 sq ft, expect $31,500 to $98,500 in the Athens area. A standard-spec job lands at $51,600 to $78,400. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for inground pool in Athens?
About $70 to $218 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $95 to $280 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $80 to $250.
+Is inground pool cheaper in Athens or Gainesville?
Gainesville is 45 miles away. The midpoint for 450 sq ft there is $65,800, which is 1% more than Athens ($65,000). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Athens?
About 47% at the midpoint, or $30,600 out of $65,000. Materials are 53% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 52%.
+What would average (512 sq ft) cost in Athens?
$35,800 to $112,000. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does inground pool need a permit in Athens?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $95 to $280 for fees in the Athens area (our national range of $100 to $300 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Athens expensive for inground pool compared with the rest of Georgia?
Athens is 3% below the Georgia statewide estimate ($67,200 at the midpoint). We cover 10 metros in Georgia; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Athens?
The BLS median is $17.85 an hour in the Athens area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $16.56 to $23.50.
+What do basic and premium inground pool work cost in Athens?
For 450 sq ft, basic work runs $31,500 to $58,300 and premium work $71,700 to $98,500. Basic means: vinyl-liner pool, small size. Premium means: concrete or gunite, large with custom features.
+When is the best time to install an inground pool in Athens?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are March through June and September through November. May and October are typically the driest of those months. Local contractors' schedules matter as much as the weather, so book early for the busy months.
Inground pool near Athens
Where these numbers come from
Base prices are national ranges from the sources below. We scale labor by local BLS wages, materials by BEA goods prices and permits by the BEA all-items price level. Full method on the methodology page.
- HomeGuide: How Much Does An Inground Pool Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- Cost to Renovate: Renovation Labor Report 2026: Where the Money Goes (accessed November 4, 2026)
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
- BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991-2020
Note on derived figures: Materials = 48% of the installed price, from Cost to Renovate's mid-range 'Outdoor Living' category split. It is a category average, not a pool-specific one, so read the pool materials line loosely.